Etihad Airways launches Colombo route

Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways has launched its first route outside the Middle East, with the commencement of services to Colombo, Sri Lanka, on March 2. Colombo is the fourth destination for the airl

Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways has launched its first route outside the Middle East, with the commencement of services to Colombo, Sri Lanka, on March 2. Colombo is the fourth destination for the airline.

The carrier will operate three flights a week to the Sri Lankan capital. Etihad should see a total of 16 new destinations by the end of 2004, including London and Bangkok on March 28 and April 5 respectively.

Etihad operates two wide-bodied Airbus A330-200 passenger jets, which carry 225 passengers each, and form the backbone of the fleet. In addition, the airline has added one A340-200, and there will be up to 10 wide-bodied aircraft in the fleet by the end of 2005. — (menareport.com)